Systems and methods for screen color temperature control using RGBW front light

ABSTRACT

An electronic reading device includes an adjustable RGBW front light and an ambient light sensor. Additionally, the electronic reading device includes circuitry configured to receive a signal corresponding to a brightness level from the ambient light sensor, receive a signal corresponding to a current screen color temperature, calculate a predetermined mixture of light based on at least one of the brightness level or the current screen color temperature, Wherein the calculation allows the current screen color temperature to remain the same regardless of the brightness level, and display the predetermined mixture of light via the adjustable RGBW front light.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/375,745, filed Aug. 16, 2016. Related applications, U.S. applicationSer. No. 14/231,143, U.S. application Ser. No. 14/231,396, U.S. Pat.Nos. 475,276, 475,274, 475,275, 475,280, 475,282, and 475,283 are hereinincorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

The “background” description provided herein is for the purpose ofgenerally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of thepresently named inventors, to the extent it is described in thisbackground section, as well as aspects of the description which may nototherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neitherexpressly or impliedly admitted as prior art against the presentinvention.

An electronic reader, also known as an e-reader device, is an electronicpersonal display that is used for reading electronic books (eBooks),electronic magazines, and other digital content. For example, digitalcontent of an e-book is displayed as alphanumeric characters and/orgraphic images on a display of an e-reader such that a user may read thedigital content much in the same way as reading the analog content of aprinted page in a paper-based book. An e-reader device provides aconvenient format to store, transport, and view a large collection ofdigital content that would otherwise potentially take up a large volumeof space in traditional paper format.

SUMMARY

The foregoing paragraphs have been provided by way of generalintroduction, and are not intended to limit the scope of the followingclaims. The described embodiments, together with further advantages,will be best understood by reference to the following detaileddescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

According to aspects of the disclosed subject matter, an electronicreading device can include an adjustable RGBW front light, an ambientlight sensor, and circuitry configured to receive a signal correspondingto a brightness level from the ambient light sensor, receive a signalcorresponding to a current screen color temperature, calculate apredetermined mixture of light based on at least one of the brightnesslevel or the current screen color temperature, wherein the calculationallows the current screen color temperature to remain the sameregardless of the brightness level, and display the predeterminedmixture of light via the adjustable RGBW front light.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the disclosure and many of the attendantadvantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes betterunderstood by reference to the following detailed description whenconsidered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B depicts a perspective view of an electronic readingdevice including a view of the front of the electronic reading device,and a view of the back of the electronic reading device according to oneor more aspects of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 2 illustrates a system for operating a computing device to enhanceelectronic reading activity according to one or more aspects of thedisclosed subject matter.

FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B illustrate alternative examples of an e-readerdevice having a front light according to one or more aspects of thedisclosed subject matter.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C depict exemplary brightness and natural lightgraphical user interfaces (GUI) relating to brightness control andnatural light control according to one or more aspects of the disclosedsubject matter.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C depict exemplary bedtime selection GUIs and anenergy saving GUI according to one or more aspects of the disclosedsubject matter.

FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B depict the result of interaction with a “Learn More”section of FIG. 4C according to one or more aspects of the disclosedsubject matter.

FIG. 6C depicts an exemplary quick tour page according to one or moreaspects of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 7A depicts an exemplary automated message displayed to a useraccording to one or more aspects of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 7B depicts an exemplary home screen according to one or moreaspects of the disclosed subject matter.

FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C depict examples of an auto-brightness feature inresponse to one user input according to one or more aspects of thedisclosed subject matter.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example device system for providing illuminationonto a display screen of an e-book device according to one or moreaspects of the disclosed subject matter.

FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C depict examples of an auto-brightness feature inresponse to two user inputs according to one or more aspects of thedisclosed subject matter.

FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B depict examples of an auto-brightness feature inresponse to slow or sudden changes in ambient light level according toone or more aspects of the disclosed subject matter.

FIGS. 12A, 12B, and 12C depict examples of automated screen colortemperature control based on a time of day according to one or moreaspects of the disclosed subject matter.

FIGS. 13A, 13B, and 13C depict examples of automated screen colortemperature control in response to a user manually adjusting a screencolor temperature during a sunset transition phase according to one ormore aspects of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B depict examples of automated screen colortemperature control in response to a user manually adjusting a screencolor temperature during a sunrise transition phase according to one ormore aspects of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 15A depicts automated screen color temperature control in responseto a user manually adjusting a screen color temperature during a daytimephase according to one or more aspects of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 15B depicts automated screen color temperature control in responseto the user manually adjusting the screen color temperature during thenight phase according to one or more aspects of the disclosed subjectmatter.

FIG. 16 depicts an example of automated screen color temperature controlin response to a user manually adjusting a screen color temperature toless than 1900K any time of day according to one or more aspects of thedisclosed subject matter.

FIG. 17 depicts capping brightness for lower screen color temperaturesthan 1900K any time of day according to one or more aspects of thedisclosed subject matter.

FIG. 18 depicts exemplary screen color temperatures and correspondingRGBW values to be displayed via an adjustable RGBW front light accordingto one or more aspects of the disclosed subject matter.

FIGS. 19A, 19B, 19C, and 19D illustrates examples of an e-book devicethat can vary a state of illumination for light that is cast on itsdisplay screen according to one or more aspects of the disclosed subjectmatter.

FIG. 20 depicts an exemplary table where a range of brightness levelscan have corresponding RBGW values for a specific screen colortemperature to display the screen color temperature consistently at anybrightness level according to one or more aspects of the disclosedsubject matter.

FIG. 21 illustrates an exemplary method for controlling a state of anillumination component that is provided to cast light onto a displaysurface of an e-reader device according to one or more aspects of thedisclosed subject matter.

FIG. 22 is an algorithmic flow chart of a method for displaying a screencolor temperature based on a brightness level according to one or moreaspects of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 23 is an algorithmic flow chart of a method for automaticallyadjusting the screen color temperature based on the time of dayaccording to one or more aspects of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 24 is an algorithmic flow chart of a method for automated screencolor temperature control during the sunrise transition according to oneor more aspects of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 25 is an algorithmic flow chart of a method for automated screencolor temperature control in response to a manual adjustment of thescreen color temperature during the sunset transition according to oneor more aspects of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 26 is an algorithmic flow chart of a method for automated screencolor temperature control during the sunrise transition according to oneor more aspects of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 27 is an algorithmic flow chart of a method for automated screencolor temperature control during the daytime phase according to one ormore aspects of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 28 is an algorithmic flow chart of a method for automated screencolor temperature control during the night phase according to one ormore aspects of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 29 is an algorithmic flow chart of a method for automated screencolor temperature control when the screen color temperature is manuallyadjusted below 1900K according to one or more aspects of the disclosedsubject matter.

FIG. 30 is an algorithmic flow chart of a method for automaticbrightness control in response to one user input according to one ormore aspects of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 31 is an algorithmic flow chart of a method for automaticbrightness control in response to two user inputs according to one ormore aspects of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 32 is an algorithmic flow chart of a method for automaticbrightness control in response to sudden changes in ambient lightaccording to one or more aspects of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 33 is a detailed block diagram illustrating an exemplary userdevice according to certain aspects of the present disclosure accordingto one or more aspects of the disclosed subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The description set forth below in connection with the appended drawingsis intended as a description of various embodiments of the disclosedsubject matter and is not necessarily intended to represent the onlyembodiment(s). In certain instances, the description includes specificdetails for the purpose of providing an understanding of the disclosedsubject matter. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the artthat embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. Insome instances, well-known structures and components may be shown inblock diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of thedisclosed subject matter.

Reference throughout the specification to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, characteristic,operation, or function described in connection with an embodiment isincluded in at least one embodiment of the disclosed subject matter.Thus, any appearance of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in anembodiment” in the specification is not necessarily referring to thesame embodiment. Further, the particular features, structures,characteristics, operations, or functions may be combined in anysuitable manner in one or more embodiments. Further, it is intended thatembodiments of the disclosed subject matter can and do covermodifications and variations of the described embodiments.

It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appendedclaims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referentsunless the context clearly dictates otherwise. That is, unless clearlyspecified otherwise, as used herein the words “a” and “an” and the likecarry the meaning of “one or more.” Additionally, it is to be understoodthat terms such as “left,” “right,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,”“side,” “height,” “length,” “width,” “upper,” “lower,” “interior,”“exterior,” “inner,” “outer,” and the like that may be used herein,merely describe points of reference and do not necessarily limitembodiments of the disclosed subject matter to any particularorientation or configuration. Furthermore, terms such as “first,”“second,” “third,” etc., merely identify one of a number of portions,components, points of reference, operations and/or functions asdescribed herein, and likewise do not necessarily limit embodiments ofthe disclosed subject matter to any particular configuration ororientation.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designateidentical or corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1A-FIG. 1B depicts a perspective view of an electronic readingdevice 110 including a view of the front of the electronic readingdevice 110, and a view of the back of the electronic reading device 110according to one or more aspects of the disclosed subject matter. Theelectronic reading device 110 (also known as an e-reader, electronicreader, etc.), is an electronic personal display that is used forreading electronic books (eBooks), electronic magazines, and otherdigital content. For example, digital content of an eBook is displayedas alphanumeric characters and/or graphic images on a display of ane-reader such that a user may read the digital content much in the sameway as reading the analog content of a printed page in a paper-basedbook. An e-reader provides a convenient format to store, transport, andview a large collection of digital content that would otherwisepotentially take up a large volume of space in traditional paper format.

In some instances, e-readers are purpose built devices designedespecially to perform especially well at displaying readable content.For example, a purpose built e-reader may include a display that reducesglare, performs well in high light conditions, and/or mimics the look oftext on actual paper. While such purpose built e-readers may excel atdisplaying content for a user to read, they may also perform otherfunctions, such as displaying images, emitting audio, recording audio,and web surfing, among others.

Additionally, numerous kinds of consumer devices can receive servicesand resources from a network service. Such devices can operateapplications or provide other functionality that links the device to aparticular account of a specific service. For example, e-reader devicestypically link to an online bookstore, and media playback devices ofteninclude applications which enable the user to access an online medialibrary. In this context, the user accounts can enable the user toreceive the full benefit and functionality of the device.

The electronic reading device 110 can enhance electronic readingactivity, according to an embodiment. The electronic reading device 110can include an electronic display device and a network service asfurther described herein. The network service may include multipleservers and other computing resources that provide various services inconnection with one or more applications that are installed on thee-reader device. By way of example, in one implementation, the networkservice can provide e-book services which communicate with the e-readerdevice. The e-book services provided through network service can, forexample, include services in which e-books are sold, shared, downloadedand/or stored. More generally, the network service can provide variousother content services, including content rendering services (e.g.,streaming media) or other network-application environments or services.

The e-reader device 110 can correspond to any electronic personaldisplay device on which applications and application resources (e.g.,e-books, media files, documents) can be rendered and consumed. Forexample, the e-reader device 110 can correspond to a tablet or atelephony/messaging device (e.g., smart phone). In one implementation,for example, e-reader device 110 can run an e-reader application thatlinks the device to the network service and enables e-books providedthrough the service to be viewed and consumed. In anotherimplementation, the e-reader device 110 can run a media playback orstreaming application which receives files or streaming data from thenetwork service. By way of example, the e-reader device 110 can beequipped with hardware and software to optimize certain applicationactivities, such as rendering of electronic content (e.g., e-books). Forexample, the e-reader device 110 can have a tablet like form factor,although variations are possible. In some cases, the e-reader device 110can also have an E-ink display.

In additional detail, the network service can include a deviceinterface, a resource store and a user account store. The user accountstore can associate the e-reader device with a user and with an account.The account can also be associated with one or more applicationresources (e.g., e-books), which can be stored in the resource store. Asdescribed further, the user account store can retain metadata forindividual accounts to identify resources that have been purchased ormade available for consumption for a given account. The e-reader device110 may be associated with the user account, and multiple devices may beassociated with the same account. As described in greater detail below,the e-reader device 110 can store resources (e.g., e-books) that arepurchased or otherwise made available to the user of the e-reader device110, as well as to archive e-books and other digital content items thathave been purchased for the user account, but are not stored on theparticular computing device.

FIG. 2 illustrates a system for operating a computing device (e.g.,e-reading device 110) to enhance electronic reading activity accordingto one or more aspects of the disclosed subject matter. The e-readerdevice 110 includes a housing 106 that includes a display screen 108 onwhich text content from selected e-books can be rendered. The e-readerdevice 110 also includes a separate or independent illuminationcomponent 118 for the display screen 108. In some examples providedherein, the illumination component 118 is provided as a front light(e.g. adjustable RGBW front light), which directs light onto the displaysurface 108 from a housing bezel or thickness. It should be appreciatedthat the illumination 118 is not limited to the sides of the screen. Forexample, the illumination 118 can be positioned at the bottom of thescreen, as may be seen for the adjustable RBGW front light as furtherdescribed herein.

The display area 108 can be configured as a touch sensitive component ofa display assembly on which input features are provided or are otherwiseenabled. By way of example, the input features can include soft buttonsor hidden touch regions where the user can transition pages from ane-book, looking words up (using a dictionary function), and the like.

According to some examples, the illumination component 118 independentlyilluminates the display screen 108 in order to create a visual effect.The visual effect can correspond to, for example, illuminating anotherwise non-illuminated screen (such as provided by electronic papertype displays). The illumination can further be provided withcharacteristics, such as luminosity, color, and and/or other lightingeffects.

The e-reader device 110 can include illumination control logic 112 thatcontrols one or more illumination aspects of the front light 118. Asdescribed with examples, the control logic 112 can control one or moreof the color, the luminosity, lighting affect (e.g., blinking ormodulation), or other illumination characteristic. Furthermore, in somevariations, the control logic 112 controls the illumination component118 in a manner that is responsive to triggers. As described withvarious examples, the illumination component 118 can be responsive tosoftware-implemented triggers, sensor implemented triggers, and/orhardware component related triggers. Additionally, the illuminationcomponent 118 can be responsive to settings and/or input provided by auser through interaction with the-reader device 110. As described withexamples, the control logic 112 controls the lighting aspects of theillumination component 118 while the display screen 108 is used torender content, such as pages of an e-book. In this way, theillumination component 118 can generate ambience, illuminationenvironment, and/or status information independently of contentdisplayed on the display screen 108.

In one implementation, the illumination component 118 is provided in theform of light emitting diodes (LEDs) or other discrete light sourcesthat are disposed in a housing 106 of the e-reader device 110. The frontlight 118 can be programmatically controllable to modulate in color,luminosity and/or affect. The orientation of the illumination component118 directs light onto the display screen 108 independent of contentrendered through the display screen. As shown with examples of FIG. 3Aand FIG. 3B, the light sources that comprise the illumination component118 can be disposed in a bezel of the housing 106 so as to cast light onto the display screen 108.

The electronic reading device can include a front light, and morespecifically an adjustable RGBW front light. Additionally, theelectronic reading device can have a range of dimensions. However, thedepth of the electronic reading device can be less than sevenmillimeters. More specifically, the depth of the electronic readingdevice can be 6.99 millimeters due at least in part to the structuraldesign as further described in U.S. Pat. No. 475,280, which has beenincorporated by reference herein.

FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B illustrate alternative examples of the e-readerdevice 110 having a front light according to one or more aspects of thedisclosed subject matter. In more detail, the e-reader device 200 ofFIG. 3A and FIG. 3B can include housing 206 for supporting the displayscreen 208. The display screen 208 can form the exterior surface of thedisplay. For example, in the context of e-paper type displays, thedisplay screen 208 can provide a visual interface for the reader, andcontent provided through the display surface 208 can be non-illuminated.

The housing 206 provides a bezel 207 which surrounds the display screen208 and provides a thickness relative to the display screen 208. Thebezel 207 can provide structure for supporting discrete light sources.For example, a set of LEDs 209A (FIG. 3A), 209B (FIG. 3B) can be atleast partially disposed within the bezel 207 to direct light 201 ontothe display screen 208.

In examples of FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, the LEDs 209A, 209B can be operablein multiple states (e.g., on/off, blinking, patterned blinking), and/ormultiple luminosity states (e.g., dim/bright). Additionally, in anexample of FIG. 3B, the LEDs 209B are multicolored, so as to beilluminatable in multiple colors. For example, the LEDs 209B cancorrespond to RGBW LEDs that generate illumination for the displayscreen 208 in one of multiple colors. The state and/or color of the LEDs209A (FIG. 3A), 209B (FIG. 3B) can be determined by control of theprocessor. In particular, as described with some examples, the processorcan identify events and/or conditions would trigger changes in the stateof the LEDs 209A, 209B.

FIGS. 4A-4C depict exemplary brightness and natural light graphical userinterfaces (GUI) relating to brightness control and natural lightcontrol according to one or more aspects of the disclosed subjectmatter. More specifically, in FIG. 4C the brightness control can includean auto brightness switch 405 to turn automatic brightness adjustmentson and off. Additionally, a brightness slider 410 can adjust thebrightness level within a range of brightness levels (e.g., zero percentto one hundred percent). The natural light graphical user interface caninclude an auto natural light switch 415 to turn automatic natural lighton and off. Additionally, a natural light slider 420 can adjust thenatural light level within a range of natural light levels (e.g., 1500Kto 6400K). The brightness and natural light GUI also includes a “LearnMore” section 425 which causes a dialogue to appear with additionalinformation regarding the natural light settings.

FIGS. 5A-5C depict exemplary bedtime selection GUIs and an energy savingGUI according to one or more aspects of the disclosed subject matter.More specifically, in FIG. 5A the bedtime selection GUI can display abedtime dropdown list 505 to select a bedtime between 9:00 PM and 3:00AM in half hour intervals. Shorter or longer time intervals may beavailable. Alternatively, or additionally, a 24 hour based clock can beused. When the auto natural light switch 415 (see FIG. 4C) is in an offposition, the bedtime dropdown list can be hidden as depicted in FIG.5B. In FIG. 5C an energy saving GUI 510 can include various energysaving options including a sleep timer, a power off timer, anautomatically turn off light in bright sunlight selection option, andthe like.

FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B depict the result of interaction with the “LearnMore” section 425 of FIG. 4C according to one or more aspects of thedisclosed subject matter. The dialogue of FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B includesinformation relating to the natural light settings.

FIG. 6C depicts an exemplary quick tour page according to one or moreaspects of the disclosed subject matter. The dialogue of FIG. 6Cincludes information relating to the natural light settings.

FIG. 7A depicts an exemplary automated message 705 displayed to a useraccording to one or more aspects of the disclosed subject matter. Theautomated message provides an option to enable to the auto natural lightfeature by selecting the enable section 710. The automated message canbe shown again when the user closes the automated message, auto naturallight has been off for over one week, or if the user has adjusted thenatural light setting three times with auto natural light off. Selectingto enable the auto natural light feature turns on the auto natural lightfeature and closes the automated message. Choosing a not now section 715or tapping the display outside of the automate message closes theautomated message with no change.

FIG. 7B depicts an exemplary home screen according to one or moreaspects of the disclosed subject matter. The exemplary home screenincludes a light information tile 720 relating to the natural lightfeature.

FIGS. 8A-8C depict examples of an auto-brightness feature in response toone user input according to one or more aspects of the disclosed subjectmatter. In particular, some examples provide for a computing device thatincludes a programmatically controlled front light. The front light castlight onto a display surface and/or other region of the computingdevice, for purpose of providing illumination and/or lighting effect.Examples described herein provide for a computing device that canprogrammatically control changes in the state of a front lightcomponent, including control of changes to color, luminosity, and/orlighting effect.

Still further, in some embodiments, a computing device is operable todetect one or more pre-determined illumination triggers for a frontlight of the computing device. A state for the front light is selectedbased on the detected one or more pre-determined illumination triggers,and the front light is controlled to change into the selected state.

FIG. 8A depicts a default automated brightness mode in which theautomated brightness switch 405 (see FIG. 4C) is on and no user inputhas been received. Screen brightness 805 is set to 5% more than anambient light level detected by an ambient light sensor. If the ambientlight level reaches 100%, the front light (as described in FIG. 9, forexample) can turn off automatically, which can provide variousadvantages including energy saving. The transition can be smoothregardless of how quickly the ambient light level reaches 100%, asfurther described herein. In other words, FIG. 8A can show the defaultrelationship between measured ambient light level and light brightnesssetting applied at that level.

FIG. 8B depicts examples of a user having set the brightness level to apreferred brightness level (e.g., User 1—brightness 810, User2—brightness 815, and User 3—brightness 820) above the defaultbrightness level as shown in FIG. 8A. If the ambient light changes, thescreen brightness of the electronic reading device, is adjustedautomatically to match the relative ambient light level. When the useradjusts brightness to a preferred brightness level, the preferredrelative setting can be updated and stored as the user's preferredbrightness level. In other words, FIG. 8B can show that if a userincreases their brightness manually (810, 815), the linear relationshipbetween ambient light and brightness remains, but can be shifted by acorresponding amount, to the point where brightness reaches 100%, forexample.

FIG. 8C depicts examples of a user having set the brightness level to apreferred brightness level (e.g., User 4—brightness 825, User5—brightness 830) below the default brightness level as shown in FIG.8A. For example, a first user setting 835 can correspond to User4—brightness 825 and a second user setting 840 can correspond to User5—brightness 830. If a user setting is lower than the available amountof ambient light (e.g., user setting 835), then the relative setting canbe automatically matched to a minimum of 5% brightness. However, as anexception, if the ambient light is less than 5% and the user sets theirbrightness to less than 5% (e.g., user setting 840), then the usersetting 840 becomes the minimum setting. In other words, FIG. 8C canshow that if a user decreases their brightness manually to 0% whenambient light is at 50% (840), the linear relationship between ambientlight and brightness remains, but is shifted by a corresponding amount,but brightness only begins increasing from 0% upward starting from the50% ambient light level.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example device system 900 for providingillumination onto a display screen of an e-book device 110 according toone or more aspects of the disclosed subject matter. A device system 900implements programmatic components for communicating with an e-bookservice (such as network service 120, shown in FIG. 1B), as well as forenabling functionality for viewing and accessing e-books utilized by anaccount associated with the e-reader device 110 (as in FIG. 1B, forexample). In some embodiments, the device system 900 can be implementedas an application that runs on the e-reader device 110, for example.

In an example of FIG. 9, system 900 includes a user interface 910, amemory management module 920, a local memory 930, and a serviceinterface 940. Some or all of the programmatic components shown with thecomputing system 900 can be provided in part as operating system-levelcomponents. Alternatively, the programmatic components shown with thedevice system 900 can be provided as part of an application that runson, for example, the e-reader device 110. For example, the user candownload an application onto the device that is operated as the e-readerdevice 110, in order to obtain functionality such as described with anexample of FIG. 9. Alternatively, an application can be embedded orotherwise preinstalled with other programmatic elements for providingfunctionality such as described with system 900.

The service interface 940 includes application logic which enables thee-reader device 110 to use, for example, a wireless Internet connection,to connect to the network service 120 (see FIG. 1B). In connecting withthe service, the service interface 940 can transmit data that enablesthe network service 120 to identify the e-reader device 110 on whichsystem 900 is implemented, so that the network service 120 can determinethe account that is associated with the particular e-reader device. Theservice interface 940 can be used to retrieve e-books 925 from thenetwork service 120. For example, in identifying the e-reader device 110of system 900 to the network service 120, the network service may beable to procure payment information (e.g., stored credit cardinformation) that can be used to charge the users account when the userpurchases a new e-book from the service. Each e-book can correspond to aliterary work having a pagination format. Optionally, some e-books mayhave chapter designations, as well as content that corresponds tographics or images (e.g., such as in the case of magazines or comicbooks). Individual e-books 925 can also include metadata 927, such asimagery provided as a cover for the e-book when the e-book is marketed(e.g. similar to the manner in which a conventional hardbound book wouldbe marketed in a retail store). In one implementation, the networkservice 120 can retrieve or otherwise identify the imagery and othermetadata 927 of individual e-books from publisher sources.

In identifying the e-reader device of system 900, the network service120 can identify what e-books belong to the account associated with theparticular device. The e-books that are transmitted to the e-readerdevice of system 900 include those e-books that are purchased from thedevice, or those e-books that the user requested to download. Invariations, e-books can be automatically downloaded to the device inresponse to occurrence of certain conditions. For example, the user canpurchase an e-book on another device, and then subsequently connect tothe network service 120 via the e-reader device 110 to automaticallyreceive their previously purchased e-book. Alternatively, as anotherexample, network service 120 can be configured to push e-books to thee-reader device 110 of system 900, based on, for example, user accountsettings, subscription plans and rules, and various other business logicconsiderations.

Additionally, the service interface 940 can include processes forautomatically receiving updates from a network service 120. The updatecan include programmatic updates, including updates to softwarecomponents on the e-book device 110, as well as updates to lists,download of e-books that the user may have purchased on another deviceof the same account, recommendations from the network as to what a givenuser may want to purchase or view, and/or various other data that can beeither generally provided to the user of the network service orspecifically provided for to the particular account or user.

According to some embodiments, the local memory 930 stores each e-bookas a record 926 that includes metadata 927 and content 929 (e.g., pagecontent). The management module 920 can retrieve portions of individuale-books for purpose of rendering e-books via the user interface 910.

In an example of FIG. 9, the user interface 910 of device system 900includes an e-reader component 908 and a library view component 914. Thee-reader component 908 displays content from a given e-book of the userselection via the memory management 920 and/or local memory 930. Forexample, the e-reader component 908 can display content 913 (e.g., oneor more pages of) content portion 929 of a given e-book 925. Thee-reader component 908 can include features to enable the user toperform actions such as the page turning, chapter turning, page turningby clusters, scanning, and/or searching. As additional examples, thee-reader component 908 can provide features for enabling the user toadjust settings (e.g., brighten or dim display), annotate or highlight,perform a dictionary lookup or translation, and/or share or performsocial networking activities. In response to input provided by the user,the e-reader component 908 can update the content 913 that is displayed.For example, in response to a page or chapter turn input, the e-readercomponent 908 can retrieve and update content 913 (via the memorymanagement 920) from the memory 930, and further output the updatedcontent for display on the device for system 900.

The library view 914 can display objects representing e-books and othercontent items for the user. In one implementation, the library view 914displays metadata content, corresponding to images and/or textassociated with the metadata 927 of the e-book 925 that is beingdisplayed. For example, the library view 914 can display book coverimages and author information for the e-books that are in the userlibrary. The library view 914 can also display metadata for e-books thatare provided from network service 120 and/or which are in the userlibrary, but not stored locally (e.g., archived e-books).

The user interface 910 can be coupled to a front light control component916. The front light control component 916 includes instructions andother logic for controlling the front light of the device on whichsystem 900 is implemented. In the example provided, the front lightcontrol 916 is coupled to an interface 917 for front lights. By way ofexample, the interface 917 can be used to signal front lights 209A or209B, as shown with examples of FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B. The interface 917can be used to signal changes to the state of front lights of the devicefor system 900. In one implementation, the front light component 916signals control 911 to the front light interface 917. The front lightcontrol 911 can cause the interface 917 to change an existing state(e.g., illumination level, color etc.) of the front light, and furtherto specify one or more future states of the front lights.

In some variations, front light control component 916 can includeuser-interface features that are displayed via the user interface 910.For example, the front light control component 916 can include featuresthat are displayed via the e-reader component 908 and/or library view914. One or more such features can enable the user to provide input thatsignals a user-trigger 921 to the front light control component 916. Theuser-trigger 921 can be signaled to the front light control component916 to change the state of the front lights while, for example, the useris viewing content 913 that is provided through the e-reader component908. The user-trigger 921 can specify a state for the front light. Morespecifically, input corresponding to user-trigger 921 can specify thestate for the front light. For example, the user-trigger 921 can specifythat illumination level, color and/or lighting pattern of the frontlight. By way of example, the user can view a page of an e-book 925 viathe e-reader device 110, then select a front light feature that enablesthe user to specify a color (e.g., blue) and/or brightness for the frontlight.

In variations, a programmatic trigger 923 can be generated fromfunctionality provided through user interface 910, for example. In oneimplementation, the e-reader component 908 pre-associates triggers withaspects of the e-book that is being rendered. The programmatic trigger923 can correlate to events or conditions, such as (i) a particular pagebeing rendered, (ii) a proportion of the e-book that has been completed(e.g., viewed), (iii) an e-book activity that has been performed by theuser (e.g., hold page while transitioning pages), (iv) a particular wordor phrase that has been selected, and/or (iv) a subject matter (asidentified by words or phrases) in the content 913 being displayed.Still further, in variations, the e-reader component 908 can detect anevent or condition corresponding to the programmatic trigger 923, suchas (i) the user selecting a particular e-book that is designated for aparticular front light affect (e.g., by user input or default), (ii) theuser providing input for turning a page (e.g., the user completes 50% ofthe e-book with the page turn), (iii) the user providing input forhighlighting a word, or (iv) the e-reader component 908 being operatedto render a particular page that is designated to have a specific ordifferent front lighting affect (e.g., by user-specified input or bydefault). In this way, the programmatically generated trigger 923 can besignaled from the user interface 910 to the front light controlcomponent 916 when an underlying event or condition of the triggeroccurs.

Likewise, the library view 914 can provide sources for generatingprogrammatic trigger 923. For example, input provided by the user toview a particular library (e.g., archive library, displaying e-bookswhich are stored on the network service 120) can be associated with acorresponding programmatic trigger 923. When, for example, the userviews an archive library, the front light component 916 can becontrolled to illuminate in a particular color. The color selection can,for example, indirectly inform the user that the e-books being shown arestored on the network, and not on the device at the particular instance.

In some implementations, each of the user-trigger 921 and programmatictrigger 923 can be provided or otherwise associated with characteristicssuch as identifiers or other data elements. The characteristics of thetriggers 921, 923 can define the state of the front light components.For example, the user-trigger 921 or programmatic trigger 923 caninclude data that identifies, or is correlative to, a particular color,illumination state, effect (e.g., blinking) or other lightingcharacteristic.

As an alternative or addition, one implementation provides that thefront light control component 916 includes a front light data store 919that correlates triggers 921, 923 (or data elements provided with thetriggers 921, 923) with specific lighting characteristics that thedefine the state 935 of the front lights (e.g., as provided with LEDs209A, 209B shown by FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B). The front light data store 919can be based on rules or other logic that are provided with the controlcomponent 916.

In some variations, at least some of the data provided with the frontlight data store 919 can be user-specified. In one implementation, forexample, a control interface 929 can be provided for the front lightdata store 919 to enable the user to provide input corresponding tosettings or configurations which identify the programmatic trigger 923,as well as the resulting state (or change in state) of the front lights.The identifiers and/or other data elements provided with theuser-trigger 921 and/or programmatic trigger 923 can be correlated tothe front light data store 919 to identify the particular state orchange in state of the front lights.

In some variations, the front light data store 919 includes settingsthat are specified by the user and implemented independently ofprogrammatic triggers 923. For example, the user may specify conditionsduring which front light component 916 is to control the front lightcomponents (e.g., LEDs 209A, 209B of FIG. 3A or FIG. 3B) to illuminatewith one or more specific characteristics. As a first example, the usermay specify by default that the front light is to always illuminate in aparticular color. As another example, the user may specify a schedulethat determines the default state of the front light, based on time ofday.

The front light control component 916 signal front light control 911 tointerface 917 in order to implement the change in state for the frontlights. The front light interface 917 can signal the output state to thefront light components, such as provided by LEDs 209A, 209B (see FIG. 3Aand FIG. 3B).

In some variations, the front light component 916 can receive sensorreadings 927, which can correspond to or be interpreted as triggersbased on predetermined threshold values. The sensor readings 927 can beprovided by a sensor interface 918. The sensor interface 918 can includelogic that interfaces with hardware sensors provided on, for example, anexterior of the housing for the device of system 900. By way of example,hardware sensors can correspond to ambient light sensors and/ortemperature sensors. Thus, the temperature sensor can obtain thetemperature of the environment for the e-book device used by system 900.Likewise, a light sensor can determine the illumination level in theenvironment of the device for system 900. The front light controlcomponent 916 can interpret sensor triggers from values provided in thesensor readings 927, such as values for temperature and/or ambientluminosity.

In one implementation, sensor readings 927 can cause the front lightcontrol component 916 to signal control 911 to the front light interface917, in order to alter the state of the front light components (e.g.,LEDs 209A, 209B as shown by FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B). The front lightcontrol component 916 can correlate information provided in the sensorreadings 927 with the state of the front light components, using, forexample, front light data store 919. For example, the front light datastore 919 can correlate specific sensor readings to a particular stateof illumination.

In some variations, the user can define what the state of the frontlight should be in response to certain sensor values provided in thesensor readings 927. The user defined responses can be provided throughthe front light interface 929. The user can specify, for example, theambient light value or temperature value that is to trigger a particularillumination state.

Referring again to FIGS. 8A-8C, the examples in FIGS. 8A-8C include adefault setting in which the screen brightness is set to five percentmore than the ambient light level. As the ambient light level increases,the screen brightness increases proportionally such that the screenbrightness remains at five percent more than the ambient light level asthe ambient light level changes. However, because the screen brightnessis five percent more than the ambient light level, the screen brightnesswill reach maximum screen brightness before the ambient light levelreaches a maximum ambient light level. For example, a user (see FIG. 8B)may select a brightness preference higher than the available ambientlight. If the ambient light changes, the brightness can be adjusted tomatch the relative light level. Each of User 1, 2, and 3 (see FIG. 8B)may reach maximum brightness prior to the ambient light level reaching amaximum ambient light level, and as a result, the brightness level canremain at 100% even if the ambient light level continues to increaseafter the brightness level has reached 100%. If a user (e.g., User 4from FIG. 8C) selects a brightness preference lower than the availableambient light, the brightness level is automatically matched to aminimum of 5%. An exception can be User 5 (see FIG. 8C) in the eventthat the user has an ambient light level lower than 5% and sets abrightness preference lower than 5%. As a result, the brightnesspreference set below 5% is updated to be the minimum setting.Additionally, when the ambient light level reaches 100%, the adjustableRBGW front light turns off. The adjustable RGBW front light can turn offto save energy, for example, because an ambient light level of 100% cancorrespond to a situation where the RBGW front light has little to noeffect on the visibility of the screen due to the amount of light in thearea around the electronic reading device.

FIGS. 10A-10C depict examples of an auto-brightness feature in responseto two user inputs according to one or more aspects of the disclosedsubject matter. The two inputs can include a low ambient lightpreference 1005 and a high ambient light preference 1010, the lowambient light preference 1005 being less than 50% ambient light and thehigh ambient light preference 1010 being greater than 50% ambient light.In one aspect, the high ambient light level can be greater than or equalto 50% ambient light. For example, if a brightness adjustment isreceived via the device in high ambient light, the preferred relativesetting for high ambient light can be updated. Similarly, if the useradjusts brightness in low ambient light, the preferred relative lightsetting for low ambient light can be updated. When a user adjustsbrightness in either high ambient light or low ambient light, thepreferred relative setting can be updated and stored as the preferredrelative setting for high ambient light and low ambient light,respectively. Additionally, a predetermined rate can be set at which thebrightness level transitions between the low ambient light preferredbrightness level and the high ambient light preferred brightness levelas the ambient light changes. Further, when the ambient light level islower than the low ambient light preferred brightness level, thebrightness level can automatically adjust proportionally relative to anychange (i.e., increase and/or decrease) in ambient light level.Similarly, when the ambient light is higher than the high ambient lightpreferred brightness, the brightness level can automatically adjust(i.e., increase and/or decrease) proportionally with any change inambient light level.

FIG. 10A depicts the low ambient light preference 1005 and the highambient light preference 1010 such that each selected preference ishigher than the available ambient light.

FIG. 10B depicts the user selection of low ambient light preference 1015lower than the available ambient light and the selection of high ambientlight preference 1020 higher than the available ambient light.

FIG. 10C depicts an example of the user selecting a low ambient lightpreference 1025 lower than 5% of screen brightness and a high ambientlight preference 1030 higher than the available ambient light. In otherwords, FIGS. 10A-10C can show that the user can provide 1 or 2 custominputs. For example, the user can make a manual light brightness changewhile the ambient light detected is in the 0-50% range. Alternatively,or additionally, the user can make a manual light brightness changewhile the ambient light detected is in the 50-100% range. After one ofboth of these user inputs is provided, future automatic brightnessadjustments can be based on ambient light. For example, if the defaultsystem behavior is to set light brightness to 25% when ambient light is25%, but the user manually adjusted light brightness to 45% when ambientlight was 25%, then in the future, automatic light brightness will beset to 45% when ambient light is 25%. An alternate, and/or additional,user input on light brightness could be provided while ambient light isin the 50-100% range. In order to maintain a visually smooth transitionbetween all light brightness and ambient light combinations, the rate ofbrightness change increases or decreases accordingly to intersect thepoints representing the user inputs. This can be represented by theangles of the segments of the solid line between 0%, the first userinput (1005, 1015, 1025), the second user input (1010, 1020, 1030), and100%. The dotted diagonal line can represent the default system behaviorwhen no custom user inputs were provided.

FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B depict examples of an auto-brightness feature inresponse to slow or sudden changes in ambient light level according toone or more aspects of the disclosed subject matter. When the change inambient light is slow, either increasing or decreasing, the relativescreen brightness 1105 can be adjusted automatically relative to thechange in ambient light 1110. However, in an event where the change inambient light 1110 is sudden and greater than a predetermined amount ofchange in less than a predetermined amount of time, one or more samplesfrom the ambient light sensor can be averaged for a smooth brightnesstransition. For example, if the change in ambient light 1110 is anincrease greater than a predetermined amount, the brightness can beincreased in response. The brightness increase can occur over a numberof seconds. Alternatively, if the change in ambient light is a suddendecrease greater than a predetermined amount, the change in brightnesscan be slower, such as minutes rather than seconds. For example, theincrease can be 10% per second, whereas the decrease can be 10% perminute.

FIG. 11A depicts a slow increase and decrease in ambient light 1110.

FIG. 11B depicts a sudden increase and decrease in ambient light 1110.

FIGS. 12A-12C depict examples of automated screen color temperaturecontrol based on a time of day according to one or more aspects of thedisclosed subject matter. The automated screen color temperature controlcan include phases. The phases can include a night phase, a sunrisetransition phase, a daytime phase, and a sunset transition phase. Thenight phase can range from a selected bedtime to the beginning of thesunrise transition phase (e.g., 5:00 AM) and can have a default screencolor temperature of 1900K. A screen color temperature of 1900K cancorrespond to candlelight, for example. The sunrise transition phase canrange from 5:00 AM to 7:00 AM, for example, and can transition thescreen color temperature from 1900K to 6400K at a predetermined rate ofchange. The daytime phase can range from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM and can havea default screen color temperature of 6400K. A screen color temperatureof 6400K can correspond to sunlight, for example. The sunset transitionphase can range from 6:00 PM to the selected bedtime, wherein a defaultbedtime is 11:00 PM, and can transition the screen color temperaturefrom 6400K (sunlight) to 1900K (candlelight). Although, a screen colortemperature of 1500K is available to be selected on the slider from FIG.14, the automated screen color temperature can be configured to notdisplay a screen color temperature below 1900K automatically. In oneaspect, the times of the sunrise transition and the sunset transitioncan change as the sunrise and sunset changes through the year based onthe user's location. Alternatively, or additionally, the default timesfor the sunrise transition and the sunset transition can remain the samethroughout the year regardless of when the sun rises and sets at theuser's location. Additionally, another example of the automated screencolor temperature control includes a user adjusting the default bedtime.For example, if the user selects an earlier bedtime (e.g., adjusts from11:00 PM to 9:00 PM), the speed of the sunset transition phase canincrease. Alternatively, if the user selects a later bedtime (e.g.,adjusts from 11:00 PM to 3:00 AM), the speed of the sunset transitionphase can decrease.

FIG. 12A depicts a default scenario for automated screen colortemperature control. For example, the default bedtime can be 11:00 PM.

FIG. 12B depicts a scenario in which the user adjusts the bedtime fromthe previous bedtime (e.g., 11:00 PM) to an earlier bedtime (e.g., 9:00PM), which corresponds to an increase in the transition from sunlight(6400K) to candlelight (1900K).

FIG. 12C depicts a scenario in which the user adjusts the bedtime fromthe previous bedtime (e.g., 9:00 PM, 11:00 PM) to a later bedtime (e.g.,3:00 AM), which corresponds to a decrease in the speed of the transitionfrom sunlight (6400K) to candlelight (1900K).

FIGS. 13A-13C depict examples of automated screen color temperaturecontrol in response to a user manually adjusting a screen colortemperature during a sunset transition phase according to one or moreaspects of the disclosed subject matter. When the user manually adjuststhe screen color temperature to a higher screen color temperature or alower screen color temperature during the sunset transition phase, thesunset transition can continue from the manually adjusted screen colortemperature. Additionally, when the user manually adjusts the screencolor temperature during the sunset transition phase within an hour ofthe bedtime (default or selected), the bedtime can be delayed by onehour, and the sunset transition can continue from the manually adjustedscreen color temperature.

FIG. 13A depicts a scenario in which the user has the bedtime set to11:00 PM and the user adjusts the screen color temperature down at 7:30PM (or any time earlier than within one hour of the bedtime), whichcorresponds to the sunset transition phase continuing to candlelight(1900K) from the user's adjusted screen color temperature. The user'sadjusted screen color temperature may not be stored as a preferredsetting. In other words, the adjusted screen color temperature will notbe remembered by the device 110 the next day.

FIG. 13B depicts a scenario in which the user has the bedtime set to11:00 PM and the user adjusts the screen color temperature up at 7:30 PM(or any time earlier than within one hour of the bedtime), whichcorresponds to the sunset transition phase continuing to candlelight(1900K) from the user's adjusted screen color temperature. The user'sadjusted screen color temperature may not be stored as a preferredsetting. In other words, the adjusted screen color temperature will notbe remembered by the device 110 the next day.

FIG. 13C depicts a scenario in which the user has the bedtime set to11:00 PM and the user adjusts the screen color temperature up at 10:30PM (or any time within one hour of the selected bedtime), whichcorresponds to delaying the bedtime for one hour (e.g., from 11:00 PM to12:00 AM) and continuing the transition to candlelight (1900K) from theuser's selected screen color temperature. The user's adjusted screencolor temperature and delayed bedtime may not be stored as a preferredsetting. In other words, the adjusted screen color temperature anddelayed bedtime will not be remembered by the device 110 the next day.

FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B depict examples of automated screen colortemperature control in response to a user manually adjusting a screencolor temperature during a sunrise transition phase according to one ormore aspects of the disclosed subject matter. When the user manuallyadjusts the screen color temperature to a higher screen colortemperature during the sunrise transition phase, the sunrise transitioncan continue from the manually adjusted screen color temperature. Whenthe user manually adjusts the screen color temperature to a lower screencolor temperature any time during the sunrise transition phase, thebeginning of the daytime phase can be delayed for one hour, and thesunrise transition can continue from the manually adjusted screen colortemperature.

FIG. 14A depicts a scenario in which the user adjusts the screen colortemperature up at 6 AM (or any time during the sunrise transition),which corresponds to the sunrise transition continuing to daylight(6400K) from the user's adjusted screen color temperature. The user'sadjusted screen color temperature may not be stored as a preferredsetting. In other words, the adjusted screen color temperature will notbe remembered by the device 110 the next day.

FIG. 14B depicts a scenario in which the user adjusts the screen colortemperature down at 6 AM (or any time during the sunrise transition),which corresponds to delaying the daytime phase for one hour (e.g., from7:00 AM to 8:00 AM) and continuing the sunrise transition to daylight(6400K) from the user's adjusted screen color temperature. The user'sadjusted screen color temperature and delayed start of the daytime phasemay not be stored as a preferred setting. In other words, the adjustedscreen color temperature and the delayed start of the daytime phase willnot be remembered by the device 110 the next day.

FIG. 15A depicts automated screen color temperature control in responseto a user manually adjusting a screen color temperature during a daytimephase according to one or more aspects of the disclosed subject matter.When the user manually adjusts the screen color temperature during thedaytime phase, the manually adjusted screen color temperature ismaintained through the rest of the daytime phase. Additionally, thestarting point of the screen color temperature for the sunset transitionphase is the manually adjusted screen color temperature from the daytimephase. The user's adjusted screen color temperature may not be stored asa preferred setting. In other words, the adjusted screen colortemperature will not be remembered by the device 110 the next day.

FIG. 15B depicts automated screen color temperature control in responseto the user manually adjusting the screen color temperature during thenight phase according to one or more aspects of the disclosed subjectmatter. When the user manually adjusts the screen color temperatureduring the night phase, the manually adjusted screen color temperatureis maintained until the sunrise transition, for which the starting pointof the sunrise transition can be the manually adjusted screen colortemperature. The user's adjusted screen color temperature may not bestored as a preferred setting. In other words, the adjusted screen colortemperature will not be remembered by the device 110 the next day.

FIG. 16 depicts an example of automated screen color temperature controlin response to a user manually adjusting a screen color temperature toless than 1900K any time of day according to one or more aspects of thedisclosed subject matter. When the user manually adjusts the screencolor temperature to less than 1900K, the manually adjusted screen colortemperature is maintained until the next sunrise transition regardlessof the time of day that the user manually adjusts the screen colortemperature to less than 1900K.

FIG. 17 depicts capping brightness for lower screen color temperaturesany time of day according to one or more aspects of the disclosedsubject matter. As the screen color temperature is shifted toward 1500K,the available brightness range can be reduced to conserve battery. Forexample, lower screen color temperatures require less low-power whitelight to be displayed. In one aspect, the brightness range can remainfull until the midpoint between 6400K and 1500K. When the screen colortemperature is shifted below the midpoint between 6400K and 1500K, thebrightness cap can decrease at a predetermine rate of change.

FIG. 18 depicts exemplary screen color temperatures and correspondingRGBW values to be displayed via an adjustable RGBW front light accordingto one or more aspects of the disclosed subject matter. Display 1805 cancorrespond to no blue light. Display 1810 can correspond to low bluelight. Display 1815 can correspond to a first medium blue light. Display1820 can correspond to a second medium blue light. Display 1825 cancorrespond to high blue light.

FIG. 19A-FIG. 19D illustrates examples of an e-book device that can varya state of illumination for light that is cast on its display screenaccording to one or more aspects of the disclosed subject matter. Inparticular, FIG. 19A through FIG. 19D illustrate an e-book device 1900,in accordance with examples such as provided by FIG. 2, FIG. 3A, FIG.3B, FIG. 9, and FIG. 33 having a display screen 1910 on whichillumination from an independent source such as a front light isprovided.

In examples of FIG. 19A through FIG. 19D, the state of illuminationprovided by, for example, the front light as described herein is changedto reflect different colors. Thus, the color state of the illuminationcan vary, for example, between green (FIG. 19A), blue (FIG. 19B), pink(FIG. 19C), and yellow (FIG. 19D). In one example, the front light canbe illuminated in response to a first event or condition. As analternative or variation, the front light can be illuminated and thenchanged in color or other appearance. By way of illustration, the changein color to the front light can reflect (i) a progress of the user inreading the e-book (e.g., the portion of the e-book that the user iscompleted), (ii) a preference or setting of the user, (iii) theoccurrence of a particular page or portion of the e-book being rendered,(iv) a direct input from the user specifying a particular color or statefor the front light, and/or (v) an environmental or exterior condition,such as time of day (e.g., nighttime may be blue etc.) or temperature ofthe environment.

While some examples provide for the front light to alter the color ofthe illumination, other implementations may change the warmth of theillumination. For example, cold illumination may refer to light thatincludes more white, creating a starker contrast. The illuminationprovided on the display 1910 can vary between cold and warm dependingon, for example, temperature or time of day. Numerous examples ofdescribed herein as to triggers can alter the state of the front light,in addition to those provided with FIG. 19A through FIG. 19D.

Furthermore, numerous examples are described herein in the context ofe-books and even reading activities. While such examples may employdisplay assemblies (e.g., electronic paper type displays) that havespecific benefit from an independent or separate illumination component,other examples described herein provide for the use of illuminationcomponents for other kinds of computing devices, such as those deviceswas generate content through an LCD or LED type display. Still further,the use of independent illumination components that can change statescan be applied to mechanical surfaces and features of competing devices,including those that employ keyboards, button sets or touch surfaces.Thus, for example, the front light components described with variousexamples can illuminate or cast light on to hardware features, such askeyboards.

FIG. 20 depicts an exemplary table where a range of brightness levelscan have corresponding RBGW values for a specific screen colortemperature to display the screen color temperature consistently at anybrightness level according to one or more aspects of the disclosedsubject matter. In other words, the goal can be to maintain a consistentcolor temperature when mixing RGBW light at different brightnesssettings. If only the brightness of all the RGBW lights is changed atthe same time, the same color mixture could not be maintained as thedifferent component lights behave differently at different power levels.By individually modulating the brightness of each light according to thetable, the same color at different brightness levels can be maintained.The values in the cells of the table represent percentages of eachchannel of Red, Green, Blue, and White. For example, “50,25,0,30” cancorrespond to 50% red intensity, 25% green intensity, 0% blue intensity,and 25% white intensity. The table is intended to be exemplary and caninclude more brightness percentages (ranging from 0% to 100%), morescreen color temperatures (ranging from 1500K to 6400K), and thecorresponding RBGW values for each cell of the table. In anotherexample, the screen color temperature automatically changes throughoutthe day based on the time of day and various user inputs, but the howthe screen color temperature appears visually will not be affected bythe brightness level. More specifically, when the brightness level isadjusted, the screen color temperature can remain the same visually byupdating the RGBW values that correspond to the adjusted brightnesslevel. For example, if the screen temperature color is at 1500K and thebrightness level is at 50%, the RGBW values are R=201, G=137, B=0, andW=0. Then, to display the same screen color temperature of 1500K whenthe brightness level is adjusted to 100%, the RGBW values are R=228,G=164, B=0, and W=0.

FIG. 21 illustrates an exemplary method for controlling a state of anillumination component that is provided to cast light onto a displaysurface of an e-reader device according to one or more aspects of thedisclosed subject matter. An example method such as provided by FIG. 21can be implemented using components such as described with examples ofFIG. 2, FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B, FIG. 9, and FIG. 33. Accordingly, referencemay be made to elements of other figures for purpose of illustrating asuitable component for performing a step or sub step being described.

With reference to FIG. 21, e-reader device 110 can render content forthe reading activity (410). For example, the e-book device 110 canrender content corresponding to a page (or to a set of pages) of ane-book that is in use. As another example, the rendered content caninclude metadata content, representing for example, graphical images ofe-books or other content items (e.g., music albums) that are associatedwith a particular device.

While the content is rendered, a front light trigger can be detected(2120). The front light trigger can be implemented as an e-book marker,which can, for example, correspond to a programmatically generatedtrigger, such as a software implemented trigger that is associated witha condition or event of an e-book (or e-book activity) (2122). As such,e-book marker is a trigger that is associated with, for example, aparticular e-book (e.g., a user selects a particular e-book, or startsreading a new e-book), a page of an e-book, a section of an e-book,individual words (e.g., a particular word is present on a page of ane-book), and/or activities performed by the user in connection withrendered content of the e-book (e.g., the user puts a placeholder on aparticular page while searching).

As an alternative or addition, the front light trigger can correspond toa sensor event (2124). The sensor event can correspond to a particularsensor reading, such as provided by a temperature or ambient lightsensor or of the e-reader device 110. The sensor interface 918 can, forexample, provide sensor readings to the front light control component916, which in turn interprets the sensor readings as triggers.

As another alternative or addition, the front light trigger can bespecified by user input or settings. For example, user input can triggerthe change in the front light. The user input can also specify a changein state of the front light. Still further, the user input can provide asetting which specifies a condition or event which is to generate afront light control output to alter the state of the LEDs 209A, 209B. Insome implementations, the user input can specify a front light effectfor a particular reading session. Still further, the user input candefine one or more programmatic triggers that are to cause a particularfront light effect. In an example of FIG. 9, the user input forpre-defining the triggers can be provided through the front lightinterface 929, and stored with the data store 919.

Once the trigger is detected or otherwise provided, the front light canbe controlled in a manner that is determined by the detected trigger(2130). In an example of FIG. 9, the control component 916 outputs acontrol signal to change a state of the front light (e.g., illuminatethe front light, and/or illuminate the front light with a particularcolor or other characteristic). The input trigger can be correlated tothe state of the front light based on a predetermined correlation and/ordata embedded in the trigger. In this way, the front light can becontrolled for color (2132), effect (2134) (such as blinking, fading,blinking in a pattern, etc.), and/or timing (2136) (e.g., the durationin which the state being signaled is to last).

FIG. 22 is an algorithmic flow chart of a method for displaying a screencolor temperature based on a brightness level according to one or moreaspects of the disclosed subject matter.

In S2205, a signal corresponding to a brightness level can be receivedin the system 900, for example. The brightness level can be based on anambient light level determined by the ambient light sensor.

In S2210, a signal corresponding to a screen color temperature can bereceived in the system 900, for example. The screen color temperaturecan be determined based on a time of day, as well as various otherfactors including any manually adjusted screen color temperatures asfurther described herein.

In S2215, a predetermined mixture of light can be calculated. Thepredetermined mixture of light can be calculated using the table fromFIG. 20, for example.

In S2220, the predetermined mixture of light can be displayed via theadjustable RGBW front light (e.g., front light 118, front lights 209Aand/or 209B, etc.). The predetermined mixture of light can be displayedin real time via the adjustable RGBW front light such that a change inbrightness is not apparent to the user as the screen color temperatureremains the same. An advantage of the seamless transition is an improveduser experience. When the predetermined mixture of light is displayed,the process can end.

FIG. 23 is an algorithmic flow chart of a method for automaticallyadjusting the screen color temperature based on the time of dayaccording to one or more aspects of the disclosed subject matter.

In S2305, it can be determined if a transition between phases hasoccurred. The phases can include the night phase, the sunrise transitionphase, the daytime phase, and the sunset transition phase. If atransition between phases has occurred, then the predetermined screencolor temperature corresponding to the beginning of the new phase can bedisplayed in S2310. However, if it is determined that a transitionbetween phases has not occurred, it can be determined if the brightnesslevel has changed in S2315.

In S2315, it can be determined if the brightness level has changed. Ifthe brightness level has not changed, the process can return todetermine if there has been a transition between phases in S2305.However, if it is determined that the brightness level has changed, thepredetermined mixture of light can be automatically adjusted to matchthe most recent screen color temperature in S2320. The predeterminedmixture of light can be based off of FIG. 20, for example. In otherwords, the screen color temperature remains the same, but because thebrightness has changed, the mixture that creates the predeterminedscreen color temperature can be adjusted to maintain the same screencolor temperature. When the predetermined light mixture is automaticallyadjusted, the process can end.

FIG. 24 is an algorithmic flow chart of a method for automated screencolor temperature control during the sunrise transition according to oneor more aspects of the disclosed subject matter.

In S2405, it can be determined if the current phase is the sunrisetransition based on the time of day, for example. If the current phaseis not the sunrise transition, it can be determined if the current phaseis the sunset transition in S2415 based on the time of day, for example.However, if it is determined that the current phase is the sunrisetransition, the screen color temperature can be automatically increasedat a first predetermined rate of change in S2410.

In S2410, the screen color temperature can be increased at a firstpredetermined rate of change. The first predetermined rate of change canbe based on increasing the screen color temperature from 1900K at 5:00AM to 6400K at 7:00 AM, for example. In other words, the rate of changecan increase or decrease in order to allow the color temperature toreach 6400K at 7:00 AM, regardless of the starting color temperature at5:00 AM. For example, a device starting from 1900K at 5:00 AM and endingat 6400K at 7:00 AM can change more slowly/gradually than a devicestarting from 3800K at 5:00 AM and ending at 6400K at 7:00 AM.

In S2415, it can be determined if the current phase is the sunsettransition. If the current phase is not the sunset transition, theprocess can end. However, if the current phase is the sunset transition,then the screen color temperature can be automatically decreased asecond predetermined rate of change in S2420.

In S2420, the screen color temperature can be decreased at a secondpredetermined rate of change. The second predetermined rate of changecan be based on decreasing the screen color temperature from 6400K at6:00 PM to 1900K at the most recently selected bedtime, where thebedtime can be selected by default to be 11:00 PM or selected by a userranging from 9:00 PM to 3:00 AM. When the screen color temperature isautomatically decreased at the second predetermined rate of change, theprocess can end.

FIG. 25 is an algorithmic flow chart of a method for automated screencolor temperature control in response to a manual adjustment of thescreen color temperature during the sunset transition according to oneor more aspects of the disclosed subject matter.

In S2505, a bedtime selection can be received. The bedtime can beselected by the user. Alternatively, or additionally, the bedtime can beselected by default.

In S2510, it can be determined if the screen color temperature ismanually adjusted during the sunset transition phase based on the timeof day, for example. If the screen color temperature is not manuallyadjusted during the sunset transition, the process can end. However, ifthe screen color temperature is manually adjusted during the sunsettransition, it can be determined if the manual adjustment was within onehour of the selected bedtime in S2515.

In S2515, it can be determined if the screen color temperature wasmanually adjusted within one hour of the selected bedtime. If the screencolor temperature was manually adjusted within one hour of the selectedbedtime, then the selected bedtime can be delayed by one hour in S2520before continuing the sunset transition from the manually adjustedscreen color temperature in S2525. However, if the screen colortemperature is not manually increased within one hour of the selectedbedtime (but was still manually adjusted within the sunset transition),then it can be determined if the screen color temperature was manuallydecreased within one hour of the selected bedtime in S2522.

In S2522, it can be determined if the screen color temperature wasmanually decreased any time in the sunset transition. If the screencolor temperature was not decreased, the process can end. However, ifthe screen color temperature was manually decreased, the sunsettransition can continue from the manually adjust screen colortemperature in S2525.

In S2555, the sunset transition can continue from the manually adjustedscreen color temperature. For example, if the user manually adjusts thescreen color temperature during the sunset transition, the adjustmentcauses a recalculation of the second predetermined rate of change. Nowrather than continuing the transition from the original starting point(e.g., 6400K at 6:00 PM, the manual adjustment provides a new startingpoint from which the sunrise transition can continue. In response to themanually adjusted screen color temperature, the sunset transitiondecreases starting at the new manually adjusted screen temperature atthe time at which the adjustment was made to the screen colortemperature of 1900K, for example, by the beginning of the night phase(i.e., bedtime). Alternatively, or additionally, the bedtime can bedelayed only when the manually adjusted screen color temperature is anincrease in screen color temperature within one hour of the selectedbedtime. This can also explain why the additional hour in delay can beadvantageous to provide a smoother transition down to 1900K. When thetransition has continued from the manually adjusted screen colortemperature, the process can end.

FIG. 26 is an algorithmic flow chart of a method for automated screencolor temperature control during the sunrise transition according to oneor more aspects of the disclosed subject matter.

In S2605, it can be determined if the screen color temperature ismanually increased during the sunrise transition. If the screen colortemperature is increased during the sunrise transition, the transitioncan continue from the manually adjusted screen color temperature inS2620. However, if it is determined that the screen color temperature isnot increased during the sunrise transition, then it can be determinedif the screen color temperature is manually decreased during the sunrisetransition in S2610.

In S2610, it can be determined if the screen color temperature ismanually decreased to a lower screen color temperature during thesunrise transition. If the screen color temperature is not manuallydecreased during the sunrise transition, then the process can end.However, if the screen color temperature is manually decreased duringthe sunrise transition, the start of the daytime phase can be delayed byone hour. The manual decrease of the screen color temperature can occurany time during the sunrise transition to cause the delay to the startof the daytime phase.

In S2620, the sunrise transition can continue from the manually adjustedscreen color temperature. For example, the sunrise transition can beginfrom the screen color temperature from the time at which the screencolor temperature was adjusted and transition from that screen colortemperature to 6400K, for example, by the start of the daytime phase.After the sunrise transition has continued from the manually adjustedscreen color temperature, the process can end.

FIG. 27 is an algorithmic flow chart of a method for automated screencolor temperature control during the daytime phase according to one ormore aspects of the disclosed subject matter.

In S2705, it can be determined if the screen color temperature ismanually adjusted during the daytime phase based on the time of day, forexample. If the screen color temperature is not adjusted during thedaytime phase, the process can end. However, if the screen colortemperature is manually adjusted during the daytime phase, the manuallyadjusted screen color temperature can be displayed until the end of thedaytime phase in S2710.

In S2710, the manually adjusted screen color temperature can bedisplayed until the end of the daytime phase.

In S2715, the starting point of the sunset transition can be themanually adjusted screen color temperature from the daytime phase. Whenthe manually adjusted screen color temperature from the daylight phaseis caused to be the starting point of the sunset transition, the processcan end.

FIG. 28 is an algorithmic flow chart of a method for automated screencolor temperature control during the night phase according to one ormore aspects of the disclosed subject matter.

In S2805, it can be determined if the screen color temperature ismanually adjusted during the night phase. If the screen colortemperature is not adjusted during the night phase, the process can end.However, if the screen color temperature is manually adjusted during thenight phase, the manually adjusted screen color temperature can bedisplayed until the end of the night phase in S2810.

In 2810, the manually adjusted screen color temperature can be displayeduntil the end of the night phase.

In S2815, the starting point of the sunrise transition can be themanually adjusted screen color temperature from the night phase. Whenthe manually adjusted screen color temperature from the night phase iscaused to be the starting point of the sunrise transition, the processcan end.

FIG. 29 is an algorithmic flow chart of a method for automated screencolor temperature control when the screen color temperature is manuallyadjusted below 1900K according to one or more aspects of the disclosedsubject matter.

In S2905, it can be determined if the screen color temperature ismanually adjusted below 1900K. If the screen color temperature is notmanually adjusted below 1900K, then the process can end. However, if thescreen color temperature is manually adjusted below 1900K, then themanually adjusted screen color temperature below 1900K can be displayeduntil the beginning of the next sunrise transition.

In S2910, the manually adjusted screen color temperature can bedisplayed until the beginning of the next sunrise transition regardlessof the time of day or phase in which the screen color temperature wasmanually adjusted below 1900K.

In S2915, the starting point of the next sunrise transition can be themanually adjusted screen color temperature that was manually adjustedbelow 1900K. When the manually adjusted screen color temperature thatwas manually adjusted below 1900K is caused to be the starting point ofthe sunrise transition, the process can end.

FIG. 30 is an algorithmic flow chart of a method for automaticbrightness control in response to one user input according to one ormore aspects of the disclosed subject matter.

In S3005, a signal from the ambient light sensor corresponding to adetected ambient light level can be received. The detected ambient lightlevel can be an amount of ambient light in the area around theelectronic reading device.

In S3010, a default brightness level can be automatically displayed inresponse to the ambient light level. The default brightness level can be5% above the ambient light level, for example.

In S3015, it can be determined if the brightness level is manuallyadjusted. Additionally, in one aspect, it could be determined if thebrightness level is adjusted to be higher than the default or lower thanthe default. If the brightness level is not manually adjusted, theprocess can end. However, if the brightness level is manually adjusted,then it can be determined if the brightness level is manually adjustedbelow 5% when the ambient light level is also below 5% in S3020. If thebrightness level is not manually adjusted below 5% while the ambientlight level is also below 5% (but the brightness level is still manuallyadjusted in S3015), the relative brightness level (based on the manualadjustment) can be automatically adjusted when the ambient light changesin S3025.

In S3030, the preferred relative setting can be updated to be the user'spreferred relative brightness level. Additionally, the updating theuser's preferred relative brightness level to the preferred relativesetting can be optional. For example, if the user manually decreases thebrightness level, the setting may be temporary and not updated to be theuser's preferred relative brightness level.

In S3020, if the brightness level is manually adjusted below 5% whilethe ambient light level is below 5%, then the manually adjustedbrightness level below 5% can be updated to be the minimum setting inS3035. When the minimum setting is updated in S3035, the process canend.

FIG. 31 is an algorithmic flow chart of a method for automaticbrightness control in response to two user inputs according to one ormore aspects of the disclosed subject matter.

In S3105, a low ambient light preferred brightness level can bereceived. The low ambient light level can correspond to when the ambientlight level is less than 50%.

In S3110, a high ambient light preferred brightness level can bereceived. The high ambient light level can correspond to the ambientlight level being at or above 50%.

In S3115, the rate at which the brightness level transitions between thelow ambient light preferred brightness level and the high ambient lightpreferred brightness level can be set. The transition rate cancorrespond to a calculation of the transition from the preferredrelative brightness at low ambient light to the preferred relativebrightness level at high ambient light as the ambient light levelchanges. When the rate at which the transition between the low ambientlight preferred brightness and the high ambient light preferredbrightness level can occur in response to a change in the ambient lightlevel is set, the process can end. The preferred relative settings forhigh ambient light and low ambient light can be updated to be thepreferred relative settings and stored for future use. Additionally, thebrightness level is adjusted proportionally relative to the ambientlight as the ambient light level changes when the brightness level islower than the low ambient light preferred brightness level. Similarly,the brightness level is adjusted proportionally relative to the ambientlight as the ambient light level changes when the brightness level ishigher than the high ambient light preferred brightness level. In anembodiment, when the screen brightness changes proportionally when thescreen brightness is lower than the low ambient light preferredbrightness level, the screen brightness level may not go below 5%(unless manually adjusted below 5%, for example). As a result, thescreen brightness may remain at 5% as the ambient light level changesuntil the screen brightness can start increasing proportionally with theambient light level as show in FIG. 10B, for example. Similarly, thescreen brightness may be capped at 100% when the screen brightnessincreases proportionally above the high ambient light preferredbrightness level even though the ambient light level may still beincreasing as seen in FIG. 10B, for example. In an embodiment, when thelow ambient light preferred brightness level is set below 5%, the rateof change is calculated such that the brightness level changes based onthe predetermined rate of change from the low ambient light preferredbrightness level to the high ambient light preferred brightness level.As a result, the screen brightness does not have an opportunity toincrease proportionally when the screen brightness is below the lowambient light preferred brightness level because the screen brightnessbegins increasing at the predetermined rate toward the high ambientlight preferred brightness level as shown in FIG. 10C, for example. Inan embodiment, each of the low ambient light and high ambient lightpreferred brightness levels can be updated in real time such that a newrate of change between the preferred brightness levels is calculated inresponse to a change (e.g., updated preferred brightness level) ineither of the preferred brightness levels. In an embodiment, thecalculation for the rate of change from low ambient light preferredbrightness level to the high ambient light preferred brightness levelmay be based on calculating the shortest distance between the two pointson the graph, as seen in FIGS. 10A-10C, for example. In other words, theslope of the solid line segment between the two user settings (e.g.,1005, 1010), can represent the rate of screen brightness change over therange of ambient light values between 1005 and 1010, for example.

FIG. 32 is an algorithmic flow chart of a method for automaticbrightness control in response to sudden changes in ambient lightaccording to one or more aspects of the disclosed subject matter.

In S3205, it can be determined if a sudden change in ambient light isgreater than a predetermined amount of change. If the sudden change inambient light is not greater than a predetermined amount of change, theprocess can end. However, if the sudden change in ambient light isgreater than the predetermined amount of change, a plurality of samplesfrom the ambient light sensors can be averaged in S3210.

In S3210, the plurality of samples from the ambient light sensor can beaveraged. Taking the average of the plurality of sample from the ambientlight sensor can assist in providing a smooth brightness transition.

In S3215, it can be determined if the sudden change in ambient lightgreater than the predetermined amount of change is an increase or adecrease in ambient light. If the sudden change in ambient light is anincrease, the brightness can be automatically adjusted at a thirdpredetermined rate of change in S3220. The third predetermined rate ofchange can correspond to a 10% increase per second, for example. Whenthe brightness is increased at the third predetermined rate of change,the process can end.

In S3215, if the sudden change in ambient light is a decrease, thebrightness can be automatically decreased at a fourth predetermined rateof change. The fourth predetermined rate of change can correspond to a10% decrease per minute, for example. When the brightness is decreasedat the fourth predetermined rate of change, the process can end.

FIG. 33 is a detailed block diagram illustrating an exemplary userdevice according to certain aspects of the present disclosure accordingto one or more aspects of the disclosed subject matter. In certainaspects, the user device may be the electronic reading device. However,the skilled artisan will appreciate that the features described hereinmay be adapted to be implemented on other devices (e.g., a laptop, atablet, a server, an e-reader, a camera, a navigation device, etc.). Theexemplary electronic reading device of FIG. 33 includes a controller3310 and a wireless communication processor 3302 connected to an antenna3301. A speaker 3304 and a microphone 3305 are connected to a voiceprocessor 3303.

The controller 3310 is an example of a control unit and may include oneor more Central Processing Units (CPUs), and may control each element inthe electronic reading device to perform functions related tocommunication control, audio signal processing, control for the audiosignal processing, still and moving image processing and control, andother kinds of signal processing. The controller 3310 may perform thesefunctions by executing instructions stored in a memory 3350.Alternatively or in addition to the local storage of the memory 3350,the functions may be executed using instructions stored on an externaldevice accessed on a network or on a non-transitory computer readablemedium. The controller 3310 may execute instructions allowing thecontroller 3310 to function as a display control unit, an operationmanagement unit, a game management unit, and the like.

The memory 3350 can include but is not limited to Read Only Memory(ROM), Random Access Memory (RAM), or a memory array including acombination of volatile and non-volatile memory units. The memory 3350may be utilized as working memory by the controller 3310 while executingthe processes and algorithms of the present disclosure. Additionally,the memory 3350 may be used for long-term storage, e.g., of image dataand information related thereto. The memory 3350 may be configured tostore the battle view information, operation view information and listof commands.

The electronic reading device can include a control line CL and dataline DL as internal communication bus lines. Control data to/from thecontroller 3310 may be transmitted through the control line CL. The dataline DL may be used for transmission of voice data, display data, etc.

The antenna 3301 transmits/receives electromagnetic wave signals betweenbase stations for performing radio-based communication, such as thevarious forms of cellular telephone communication. The wirelesscommunication processor 3302 controls the communication performedbetween the electronic reading device and other external devices via theantenna 3301. For example, the wireless communication processor 3302 maycontrol communication between base stations for cellular phonecommunication.

The speaker 3304 emits an audio signal corresponding to audio datasupplied from the voice processor 3303. The microphone 3305 detectssurrounding audio and converts the detected audio into an audio signal.The audio signal may then be output to the voice processor 3303 forfurther processing. The voice processor 3303 demodulates and/or decodesthe audio data read from the memory 3350 or audio data received by thewireless communication processor 3302 and/or a short-distance wirelesscommunication processor 3307. Additionally, the voice processor 3303 maydecode audio signals obtained by the microphone 3305.

The electronic reading device may also include a display 3320, a touchpanel 3330, an operation key 3340, and a short-distance communicationprocessor 3307 connected to an antenna 3306. The display 3320 may be aLiquid Crystal Display (LCD), an organic electroluminescence displaypanel, or another display screen technology such as an e-ink display. Inaddition to displaying still and moving image data, the display 3320 maydisplay operational inputs, such as numbers or icons which may be usedfor control of the electronic reading device. The display 3320 mayadditionally display a GUI for a user to control aspects of theelectronic reading device and/or other devices. Further, the display3320 may display characters and images received by the electronicreading device and/or stored in the memory 3350 or accessed from anexternal device on a network. For example, the electronic reading devicemay access a network such as the Internet and display text and/or imagestransmitted from a Web server.

The touch panel 3330 may include a physical touch panel display screenand a touch panel driver. The touch panel 3330 may include one or moretouch sensors for detecting an input operation on an operation surfaceof the touch panel display screen. The touch panel 3330 also detects atouch shape and a touch area. Used herein, the phrase “touch operation”refers to an input operation performed by touching an operation surfaceof the touch panel display with an instruction object, such as a finger,thumb, or stylus-type instrument. In the case where a stylus or the likeis used in a touch operation, the stylus may include a conductivematerial at least at the tip of the stylus such that the sensorsincluded in the touch panel 130 may detect when the stylusapproaches/contacts the operation surface of the touch panel display(similar to the case in which a finger is used for the touch operation).

In certain aspects of the present disclosure, the touch panel 3330 maybe disposed adjacent to the display 3320 (e.g., laminated) or may beformed integrally with the display 3320. For simplicity, the presentdisclosure assumes the touch panel 3330 is formed integrally with thedisplay 3320 and therefore, examples discussed herein may describe touchoperations being performed on the surface of the display 3320 ratherthan the touch panel 3330. However, the skilled artisan will appreciatethat this is not limiting.

For simplicity, the present disclosure assumes the touch panel 3330 is acapacitance-type touch panel technology. However, it should beappreciated that aspects of the present disclosure may easily be appliedto other touch panel types (e.g., resistance-type touch panels) withalternate structures. In certain aspects of the present disclosure, thetouch panel 3330 may include transparent electrode touch sensorsarranged in the X-Y direction on the surface of transparent sensorglass.

The touch panel driver may be included in the touch panel 3330 forcontrol processing related to the touch panel 3330, such as scanningcontrol. For example, the touch panel driver may scan each sensor in anelectrostatic capacitance transparent electrode pattern in theX-direction and Y-direction and detect the electrostatic capacitancevalue of each sensor to determine when a touch operation is performed.The touch panel driver may output a coordinate and correspondingelectrostatic capacitance value for each sensor. The touch panel drivermay also output a sensor identifier that may be mapped to a coordinateon the touch panel display screen. Additionally, the touch panel driverand touch panel sensors may detect when an instruction object, such as afinger is within a predetermined distance from an operation surface ofthe touch panel display screen. That is, the instruction object does notnecessarily need to directly contact the operation surface of the touchpanel display screen for touch sensors to detect the instruction objectand perform processing described herein. For example, in certainembodiments, the touch panel 3330 may detect a position of a user'sfinger around an edge of the display panel 3320 (e.g., gripping aprotective case that surrounds the display/touch panel). Signals may betransmitted by the touch panel driver, e.g. in response to a detectionof a touch operation, in response to a query from another element basedon timed data exchange, etc.

The operation key 3340 may include one or more buttons or similarexternal control elements, which may generate an operation signal basedon a detected input by the user. In addition to outputs from the touchpanel 3330, these operation signals may be supplied to the controller3310 for performing related processing and control. In certain aspectsof the present disclosure, the processing and/or functions associatedwith external buttons and the like may be performed by the controller3310 in response to an input operation on the touch panel 3330 displayscreen rather than the external button, key, etc. In this way, externalbuttons on the electronic reading device may be eliminated in lieu ofperforming inputs via touch operations, thereby improvingwater-tightness.

The antenna 3306 may transmit/receive electromagnetic wave signalsto/from other external apparatuses, and the short-distance wirelesscommunication processor 3307 may control the wireless communicationperformed between the other external apparatuses. Bluetooth, IEEE802.11, and near-field communication (NFC) are non-limiting examples ofwireless communication protocols that may be used for inter-devicecommunication via the short-distance wireless communication processor3307.

The electronic reading device may include a motion sensor 3308. Themotion sensor 3308 may detect features of motion (i.e., one or moremovements) of the electronic reading device. For example, the motionsensor 3308 may include an accelerometer to detect acceleration, agyroscope to detect angular velocity, a geomagnetic sensor to detectdirection, a geo-location sensor to detect location, etc., or acombination thereof to detect motion of the electronic reading device.In certain embodiments, the motion sensor 3308 may generate a detectionsignal that includes data representing the detected motion. For example,the motion sensor 3308 may determine a number of distinct movements in amotion (e.g., from start of the series of movements to the stop, withina predetermined time interval, etc.), a number of physical shocks on theelectronic reading device (e.g., a jarring, hitting, etc., of theelectronic device), a speed and/or acceleration of the motion(instantaneous and/or temporal), or other motion features. The detectedmotion features may be included in the generated detection signal. Thedetection signal may be transmitted, e.g., to the controller 3310,whereby further processing may be performed based on data included inthe detection signal. The motion sensor 3308 can work in conjunctionwith a Global Positioning System (GPS) section 3360. The GPS section3360 detects the present position of the electronic reading device 100.The information of the present position detected by the GPS section 3360is transmitted to the controller 3310. An antenna 3361 is connected tothe GPS section 3360 for receiving and transmitting signals to and froma GPS satellite.

The electronic reading device may include a camera section 3309, whichincludes a lens and shutter for capturing photographs of thesurroundings around the electronic reading device. In an embodiment, thecamera section 3309 captures surroundings of an opposite side of theelectronic reading device from the user. The images of the capturedphotographs can be displayed on the display panel 3320. A memory sectionsaves the captured photographs. The memory section may reside within thecamera section 3309 or it may be part of the memory 3350. The camerasection 3309 can be a separate feature attached to the electronicreading device or it can be a built-in camera feature.

According to an embodiment, a computing device includes a housing, adisplay screen, a multi-colored set of illumination elements providedover the display screen, a memory that stores a set of instructions, andone or more processors that use the instructions stored in the memory.The one or more processors render content from an e-book on the displayscreen, and detect one or more pre-determined illumination triggers. Inresponse, the one or more processors select a color based on thedetected one or more pre-determined illumination triggers. The displayscreen can be illuminated in the selected color using the multi-coloredset of illumination elements.

Still further, in some embodiments, the one or more processors triggerillumination of the of the multi-colored set of illumination elements inat least a first color at a first instance, and illumination of themulti-colored set of illumination elements in at least a second color ata second instance.

One or more embodiments described herein provide that methods,techniques and actions performed by a computing device are performedprogrammatically, or as a computer-implemented method. Programmaticallymeans through the use of code, or computer-executable instructions. Aprogrammatically performed step may or may not be automatic.

One or more embodiments described herein may be implemented usingprogrammatic modules or components. A programmatic module or componentmay include a program, a subroutine, a portion of a program, or asoftware or a hardware component capable of performing one or morestated tasks or functions. As used herein, a module or component canexist on a hardware component independently of other modules orcomponents. Alternatively, a module or component can be a shared elementor process of other modules, programs or machines.

Furthermore, one or more embodiments described herein may be implementedthrough instructions that are executable by one or more processors.These instructions may be carried on a computer-readable medium.Machines shown or described with figures below provide examples ofprocessing resources and computer-readable mediums on which instructionsfor implementing embodiments of the invention can be carried and/orexecuted. In particular, the numerous machines shown with embodiments ofthe invention include processor(s) and various forms of memory forholding data and instructions. Examples of computer-readable mediumsinclude permanent memory storage devices, such as hard drives onpersonal computers or servers. Other examples of computer storagemediums include portable storage units, such as CD or DVD units, flashor solid state memory (such as carried on many cell phones and consumerelectronic devices) and magnetic memory. Computers, terminals, networkenabled devices (e.g., mobile devices such as cell phones) are allexamples of machines and devices that utilize processors, memory, andinstructions stored on computer-readable mediums. Additionally,embodiments may be implemented in the form of computer-programs, or acomputer usable carrier medium capable of carrying such a program.

Having now described embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, itshould be apparent to those skilled in the art that the foregoing ismerely illustrative and not limiting, having been presented by way ofexample only. Thus, although particular configurations have beendiscussed herein, other configurations can also be employed. Numerousmodifications and other embodiments (e.g., combinations, rearrangements,etc.) are enabled by the present disclosure and are within the scope ofone of ordinary skill in the art and are contemplated as falling withinthe scope of the disclosed subject matter and any equivalents thereto.Features of the disclosed embodiments can be combined, rearranged,omitted, etc., within the scope of the invention to produce additionalembodiments. Furthermore, certain features may sometimes be used toadvantage without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly,Applicant(s) intend(s) to embrace all such alternatives, modifications,equivalents, and variations that are within the spirit and scope of thedisclosed subject matter.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A device, comprising: a display screen: anadjustable RGBW front light; an ambient light sensor; and circuitryconfigured to receive a signal corresponding to a brightness level fromthe ambient light sensor, receive a signal corresponding to a currentscreen color temperature of the display screen; determine a transitionrate which corresponds to a calculation of the rate at which abrightness level changes between a low ambient light preferredbrightness level to a high ambient light preferred brightness level;calculate a predetermined mixture of light based on the brightness leveland the current screen color temperature, wherein the calculation allowsthe current screen color temperature to remain the same regardless ofthe brightness level, and display the predetermined mixture of lightonto the display screen via the adjustable RGBW front light set atransition rate at which a brightness level of the display screentransitions between the low ambient light preferred brightness level andthe high ambient light preferred brightness level as the ambient lightchanges and determine if a brightness level has changed, andautomatically adjust the predetermined mixture of light to be displayedvia the adjustable RGBW front light such that the screen colortemperature does not change in response to the changing brightnesslevel; and wherein the current screen color temperature automaticallychanges based on the time of day.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein thepredetermined mixture of light changes in response to a change in thecurrent screen color temperature.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein thepredetermined mixture of light changes in response to a change in thebrightness level.
 4. The device of claim 3, wherein the current screencolor temperature does not change in response to a change in thebrightness level.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the current screencolor temperature includes 1500K to 6400K.
 6. The device of claim 5,wherein each of the current screen color temperatures has correspondingRGBW values.
 7. The device of claim 5, wherein each of the currentscreen color temperatures has corresponding RGBW values for eachbrightness level, wherein the brightness level includes 0% brightness to100% brightness, such that every current screen color temperature hasRGBW values for every brightness level.
 8. The device of claim 1,wherein the predetermined mixture of light is displayed in real time viathe adjustable RGBW front light such that a change in brightness is notapparent to the user as the screen color temperature remains the same.9. A method of screen color temperature control using an RGBW frontlight, comprising: receiving a signal corresponding to a brightnesslevel from an ambient light sensor disposed in an electronic readingdevice; receiving a signal corresponding to a current screen colortemperature being displayed on a display screen of the electronicreading device; determine a transition rate which corresponds to acalculation of the rate at which a brightness level changes between alow ambient light preferred brightness level to a high ambient lightpreferred brightness level; calculating a predetermined mixture of lightbased on the brightness level and the current screen color temperature,wherein the calculation allows the current screen color temperature toremain the same regardless of the brightness level; displaying thepredetermined mixture of light onto the display screen of the electronicreading device via an adjustable RGBW front light set a transition rateat which a brightness level of the display screen transitions betweenthe low ambient light preferred brightness level and the high ambientlight preferred brightness level as the ambient light changes anddetermine if a brightness level has changed, and automatically adjustthe predetermined mixture of light to be displayed via the adjustableRGBW front light such that the screen color temperature does not changein response to the changing brightness level; and wherein the currentscreen color temperature automatically changes based on the time of day.10. The method of claim 9, wherein the predetermined mixture of lightchanges in response to a change in the current screen color temperature.11. The method of claim 9, wherein the predetermined mixture of lightchanges in response to a change in the brightness level.
 12. The methodof claim 11, wherein the current screen color temperature does notchange in response to a change in the brightness level.
 13. The methodof claim 9, wherein the current screen color temperature includes 1500Kto 6400K.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein each of the current screencolor temperatures has corresponding RGBW values.
 15. The method ofclaim 13, wherein each of the current screen color temperatures hascorresponding RGBW values for each brightness level, wherein thebrightness level includes 0% brightness to 100% brightness, such thatevery current screen color temperature has RGBW values for everybrightness level.
 16. The method of claim 9, wherein the predeterminedmixture of light is displayed in real time via the adjustable RGBW frontlight such that a change in brightness is not apparent to the user asthe screen color temperature remains the same.